Nike has announced the forced closure of its flagship store in Portland Oregon, due to a surge in shoplifting. The flagship opened nearly 40 years ago and ceased operations due to significant losses. Neighborhood stores are preparing for declining sales due to Nike’s departure.
“We had all been holding our breath since last November when the store quietly shuttered its doors due to internal and external theft and safety issues. But, like so many of us riding out the fallout of the pandemic and protests, we held out hope that Nike, city officials and community leaders would recalibrate and realign order. But it looks like it’s game over.
Why close down a flagship store that has supported Black Portland for over 40 years? It was an economic driver in this area, and we should be looking at the long-term impact of that closure.”, commented John Washington, Executive Director of the Soul Business District Association.
Earlier this year, it was reported that Nike had asked the local government to provide additional security for the store, which is often subject to theft.
“Ultimately, the city cannot offer Nike, or any other private business, with dedicated off-duty (Portland Police Bureau) officers due to PPB’s staffing shortage.”, the mayor’s office said.
According to The Washington Examiner, Portland remains one of the “fastest-shrinking” cities in the country. Between 2020 and 2021, the city suffered a loss of $1 billion in tax revenue due to a surge in crime, leading to the departure of over 14,000 residents.
